Written by: Pieter Boven on September 15th, 2005
Theatrical Release Date: France 1984
Director: Michel Jean
Writer: Irene Renard
Cast: Alban Ceray, Laura Clair, Cathy Ménard, Uschi Karnat, Marilyn Jess, Eva Kleber, Dominique Saint Claire, Mika Barthel, Gabriel Pontello, Piotr Stanislas, Jacques Marbeuf, Bärbel von Staden, Marianne Wäckerle, Veronica Moser
DVD released: January 27, 2001
Approximate running time: 82m15s
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Fullframe
Rating: Adult
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
DVD Release: Ribu Film & Video
Region Coding: Region 0 PAL (Germany)
Retail Price: 20 EUR
Discs: 1xDVD-5
The Film :
When smalltime gangster Robert finds out his old partner Laurent is trying to sell some stolen diamonds, he turns to crime boss Jacques for help. Jacques agrees to hunt down Laurent in return for a large percent of the profit. But being the most sexually potent gangster in Paris, Laurent has no trouble getting help from local beauties and always staying one step ahead of his pursuers.
Video:
The movie is presented in 1.33:1 fullframe. The image is mostly free of blemishes but the colours and sharpness leave something to be desired. The transfer is also interlaced. Still, it is definitely one of the better Ribu releases and looks good on a normal television.
Audio:
Only a German dub in dolby digital 2.0 mono is available. The audio is clear and easy to understand. However, there is some sort of phase shift between the two channels, creating an extremely annoying echo effect. There are no subtitles.
Extras:
An ugly looking menu and a photo gallery containing pictures, accompanied by German text, from other Ribu releases is all we get. At least the trailer for Diamond Baby should have been included since it is absolutely hilarious. It can be found on the Ribu DVD of Der Frauenarzt vom Place Pigalle. There is no scene selection menu although the movie is divided in 12 chapters.
Overall:
This movie reminds us of the golden age of porn when the people involved in hardcore actually had some talent. The script, direction, acting and music is comparable to the 70s low budget euro films we all know and love. Lot’s of familiar faces in the cast such as Alban Ceray and Marylin Jess. Michel Jean is one of my favorite hardcore directors with great films such as Der Frauenarzt vom Place Pigalle, Wild Playgirls and Exzesse in der Schönheitsfarm. Diamond Baby is quite funny, has some very attractive women and exciting sex scenes. If you like today’s plotless, badly acted, shot on video porn featuring hairless, tattooed girls and guys who apparently spent every waking moment in the gym, stay far, far away from this movie.
Considering the problems with the sound and virtually absent extras, this DVD is a bit pricey. Also if you don’t speak German, undoubtably the most sleazy and suitable language for porn, this DVD is not recommended. Diamond Baby really deserves a better release but I’m sure that isn’t going to happen any time soon.